HB 120 — Transitional support services

90R2464 MM-F By: Garcia Hernandez H.B. No. 120 relating to transitional support services and housing resources for foster youth transitioning to independent living.

SECTION 1. Section 264.121, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-8) and amending Subsections (i) and (j) to read as follows: (a-8) The department shall ensure that all youth enrolled in the Preparation for Adult Living Program are provided with comprehensive information regarding available housing resources and assistance for transitioning youth, including the federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, to improve awareness of housing assistance options as each youth prepares for independent living. (i) The department shall ensure that the transition plan for each youth 16 years of age or older includes provisions to assist the youth in managing the youth's housing needs after the youth leaves foster care, including provisions that: (1) identify the cost of housing in relation to the youth's sources of income, including any benefits or rental assistance available to the youth; (2) if the youth's housing goals include residing with family or friends, state that the department has addressed the following with the youth: (A) the length of time the youth expects to stay in the housing arrangement; (B) expectations for the youth regarding paying rent and meeting other household obligations; (C) the youth's psychological and emotional needs, as applicable; and (D) any potential conflicts with other household members, or any difficulties connected to the type of housing the youth is seeking, that may arise based on the youth's psychological and emotional needs; (3) inform the youth about emergency shelters and housing resources, including supervised independent living , the federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and housing at colleges and universities, such as dormitories; (4) require the department to review a common rental application and a common rental contract with the youth and ensure that the youth possesses all of the documentation required to obtain rental housing; and (5) identify any individuals who are able to serve as cosigners or references on the youth's applications for housing. (j) The department shall ensure that the transition plan for each youth 16 years of age or older includes information about securing or transferring governmental assistance the youth may qualify for, including: (1) social security benefits; (2) veteran or service member benefits; (3) supplemental nutrition assistance; (4) special supplemental nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children; (5) temporary assistance for needy families; and (6) housing assistance , including the federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development .

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding Sections 264.1216, 264.1217, and 264.1218 to read as follows: Sec. 264.1216. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR CERTAIN YOUNG ADULTS. (a) The department shall provide ongoing transitional living services and other supportive services to an eligible young adult who has exited foster care but continues to face housing instability or other challenges in achieving self-sufficiency. Services provided under this section may include: (1) services available under the department's Transitional Living Services Program described by Section 264.121; (2) case management; (3) housing navigation or assistance; (4) life-skills training; and (5) other appropriate services to facilitate a young adult's successful transition to independent living. (b) Notwithstanding other law, a young adult is eligible for services under this section if the young adult: (1) is at least 18 years of age but younger than 25 years of age, and was in the conservatorship of the department on the day preceding: (A) the young adult's 18th birthday; or (B) the date the young adult aged out of foster care; and (2) meets at least one of the following criteria: (A) the young adult is homeless or is at imminent risk of becoming homeless; or (B) the young adult has been issued or assigned a housing voucher under the federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) or any other law, the department may continue to provide transitional living and supportive services under this section to a young adult after the young adult's 25th birthday for as long as the young adult is receiving a housing voucher under the federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative to ensure stability for the young adult and young adult's successful completion of the housing voucher program. (d) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section, including rules: (1) providing for coordination between relevant state agencies and community partners; and (2) establishing any additional eligibility criteria or service guidelines necessary to maximize the use of available federal funds and other resources. Sec. 264.1217. HOUSING TRANSITION PLANNING. (a) For each youth in the conservatorship of the department who is expected to exit foster care on or after the youth's 18th birthday, the youth's caseworker shall, not later than the first day of the sixth month before the month of the youth's 18th birthday: (1) assess the youth's housing needs and preferences for the period after the youth leaves foster care, including whether the youth intends to voluntarily enter extended foster care or will leave foster care on the youth's 18th birthday; and (2) identify and initiate engagement with specific potential housing resources available to the youth after the youth leaves foster care, which may include placement in extended foster care, a supervised independent living setting, a transitional housing program, a federal or state housing assistance program, a supportive housing service, or another housing arrangement appropriate for the youth. (b) For each youth in the conservatorship of the department who is expected to leave foster care on or after the youth's 18th birthday, the youth's caseworker shall, not later than the 90th day before the youth's 18th birthday: (1) complete any necessary referral or application for housing assistance or housing programs the youth may qualify for, including an application for a housing voucher under the federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; (2) review and confirm the status of the youth's planned housing arrangements and resources identified under Subsection (a); (3) address any outstanding requirements or barriers to securing the planned housing arrangements identified under Subsection (a); and (4) ensure that the youth's transition plan is updated as necessary to reflect a specific, viable housing option for the youth when the youth leaves foster care. Sec. 264.1218. FOSTER YOUTH TO INDEPENDENCE HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM TRACKING SYSTEM. (a) In this section, "program" means the housing voucher program provided by the federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (b) The department shall develop and implement a centralized, statewide information system to collect and track data on the demand for, allocation of, and use of the program by former foster youth in this state. The system must be designed to identify: (1) the number of current and former foster youth in each region of the state who request or are identified as in need of a housing voucher under the program; (2) the availability and distribution of housing vouchers under the program across this state, including the number of housing vouchers allocated, issued, or pending in each region of the state; and (3) outcomes for youth who receive a housing voucher under the program, including the rate at which recipients successfully lease housing using a voucher, the average length of time youth use the vouchers, and any other housing stability metrics determined by the department. (c) In developing and operating the tracking system under this section, the department shall coordinate with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, local public housing authorities that participate in the program, and other relevant state or local agencies or partner organizations to facilitate the secure exchange of information necessary to track the demand for and use of housing vouchers under the program. To the extent feasible, the system may build upon or integrate with existing data systems used by the department or another agency with which the department coordinates. (d) The department shall use information from the tracking system developed under this section to improve planning and delivery of housing-related services to current and former foster youth. The department shall also make summary data from the system available to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to inform interagency efforts to address the housing needs of foster youth transitioning to independence. (e) The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this section, including rules that: (1) govern interagency data sharing agreements; (2) define relevant performance measures or data elements; and (3) ensure appropriate privacy protections for participating youth.

SECTION 3. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act. (b) Not later than January 1, 2028, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall fully implement the initiatives required by this Act, including the provision of extended supportive services provided under Section 264.1216, Family Code, as added by this Act, the transition planning improvements under Section 264.1217, Family Code, as added by this Act, and the Foster Youth to Independence housing voucher program tracking system under Section 264.1218, Family Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.